Govt reviews inconsistent disciplinary rules across public universities

KUALA LUMPUR: The Higher Education Ministry is reviewing inconsistent disciplinary rules across public universities to ensure students enjoy equal freedom of expression and association, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir said regulations varied between institutions, with certain activities and forms of criticism permitted at some universities but restricted at others.

He said these discrepancies needed to be addressed as the government moved towards repealing the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (Auku) and introducing a new higher education law.

"There are universities where certain things are allowed, while others do not permit them.

"For example, long hair may be allowed at one university but prohibited at another. The same applies to criticism of the administration, which may be permitted at one institution but not another.

"This requires coordination at the university leadership level," he said during Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat.

Zambry was responding to Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa), who questioned whether the proposed legislation would guarantee equal treatment for students regardless of their political views.

Marzuk said that although Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had repeatedly stated that students were free to criticise the government, they could still face action from university administrations and student affairs departments.

He asked whether the new law would provide safeguards to ensure students critical of the government were treated equally to those who supported it.

Zambry said the ministry had taken immediate steps to remove restrictions on student freedoms while broader legislative reforms were being developed.

He said disciplinary proceedings involving freedom of expression, public criticism and peaceful assembly at public universities had been ordered stopped with immediate effect.

However, serious offences would remain subject to existing national laws.

Zambry said the ministry was also reviewing provisions under Sections 15 and 16 of Auku, alongside university disciplinary regulations that restricted student rights.

The review covers freedom of association, student activities, peaceful assembly, communication platforms and the publication or distribution of documents.

He said the government was committed to consulting student groups across the political spectrum when developing the replacement legislation.

"We involve everyone, whether they support the government or not," he said.

Zambry added that the aim was to produce comprehensive legislation that took into account diverse views and strengthened the higher education system.

The government announced its intention to repeal Auku on Aug 15, while the cabinet decided on Aug 19 that the process should be carried out in a structured and comprehensive manner.

Zambry said the repeal would be implemented in phases to avoid legal gaps that could disrupt the administration and operation of public universities.